Aponte, Nariño, Colombia Nestled between 1,700 and 2,100 meters above sea level in Tablón de Gómez, Aponte is home to an independent indigenous reserve with its own language, governance, and rich cultural heritage. A couple of decades ago, this region was isolated and dominated by illicit crops. In a powerful act of reclamation, the community joined forces to replace these crops with traditional agriculture and specialty coffee. Today, the mineral-rich clay loam and volcanic ash soils , combined with crisp mountain air, make it one of the most exciting and celebrated micro-regions for specialty coffee in the world.